£1m funding to provide carers with needed break

Almost £1 million is being provided to allow 3,500 carers respite from the “stressful demands” of looking after someone close to them.

Carers from 58 organisations across the country are to bene-fit from a share of the £954,000 being awarded by the Scottish Government’s Short Breaks Fund.

It will support both young and adult carers who look after disabled children, people with dementia, mental health problems and other long-term conditions, as well as those who care for people with substance misuse problems and adults with learning disabilities or physical disabilities.

All of the projects will be run by voluntary organisations, which will work to reduce the number of young carers becoming isolated.

Health minister Michael Matheson said: “The provision of short breaks is hugely important to carers, giving them a much- needed break from the stressful demands of supporting people close to them who are ill or disabled. Moreover, short breaks allow young carers time to enjoy being like any other child or young person.”

Raymond Jamieson, a co- ordinator of the Young Carers Project at Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Service, which is receiving £12,000, said the group was “delighted”.

“This grant will enable us to start up the homework club, to give the children a safe, quiet environment to do their work. It will also provide them with an opportunity to socialise with their peers outwith the caring responsibilities they face at home,” he said.

Smina Akhtar, of the Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre in Dundee, receiving £28,000, said: “This funding will enable us to provide a range of quality short breaks for carers which they were unable to access.”